5 Surprising Facts About Sharks

Few animals capture the intrigue of people as much as sharks do. We find ourselves terrified, yet fascinated, by sharks and we're always eager to learn more. We even dedicate an entire week to them each summer. And, there's still so much we don't know about them yet. That's why we collected five shocking facts about sharks that you probably didn't know:

1. Sharks don't have bones

Sharks don't have a single bone in their bodies, instead, their skeletons are made up entirely of cartilage. Cartilage gives the sharks more flexibility and reduces their weight, preserving their energy for hunting.

2. Sharks can sense other animals

Unlike humans who are limited by five senses to navigate the world, sharks can rely on another sense to find prey: electroreception. Since their eyesight isn't great, sharks use sensory organs in their snout to detect the electrical currents of prey swimming nearby. 

3. Tiger sharks are the trash cans of the sea

Tiger sharks, which grow up to 15 feet long and weigh more than 1,300 pounds, have a tendency to eat anything in their path, including birds and sea snakes. Sadly, license plates, paint cans, and tires have even been found in the stomachs of tiger sharks. 

4. Bull sharks can live in freshwater

We normally picture sharks living in the open ocean or patrolling the waves near the beach, but one species can be found in freshwater: the bull shark. These sharks have been known to swim in rivers and tributaries, and have even been found thousands of miles inland in the Amazon River.

5. Great whites aren't always at the top of the food chain

Great white sharks may be seen as the most threatening animal in the ocean, but that reputation isn't necessarily true. In recent years, a growing number of great whites in South Africa have been attacked and killed by pods of orcas, with drone footage to prove it. 

Are you a shark lover? Check out our collection of shark designs - 15% of profits from each design is donated to nonprofit organizations working to protect sharks around the world. 

origami photo by yosuke muroya.